Don't Judge the Judge

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Don't Judge the Judge

Judges are often the target of much harassment and curses. Even when they are walking in Torah, someone by their decision is going to be unhappy. It is said that Rabbi Yosef Chaim served for a short time as a judge on a local court. In one particular case, the husband’s family lost their case that was brought before him.

They were embittered and felt the judgement was totally unfair. One night after the ruling, they barged into the Rabbi’s house and hurled terrible accusations at him. They stomped their feet and cursed so long and so loud at him, that it sent his wife into tears. However, through the entire ordeal the Rabbi kept his cool and never lifted his eyes from his Torah, which he was studying. As it began to get out of control, he rose up from the table and looked them straight in the eye. He made the pronouncement, “Listen now to what I have to say.” As soon as he did this, a dead silence swept over the entire room.

“If you are correct about your claims against me and I have erred, you have accomplished your task in registering your complaint with me. May YHVH have mercy on us, for a man is only human and can only rule on the facts brought before his eyes.” “If however, I am correct and you are wrong, the accusers paused and stood back waiting for a scathing rebuke, then I want you to know that I completely forgive you with all of my heart for all the pain you have caused me and my family.” A few days later, on his way home from Shul, the leader from the irate group approached him and asked the Rabbi to forgive him. The Rabbi told him he already had done that, back at his home, but the Rabbi did ask him a question. Have you purchased your esrog yet? The one the Torah tells us not to spend more than one fifth of our money on. “Of course”, the man replied, “if necessary I would give all that I had to fulfill that commandment and make sure I only gave YHVH the very best.”

The Rabbi then replied, “you know there is a commandment that says not to curse a judge. To whom is this directed too? It would not be the one whom the judge ruled in favor of, for he would not have any reason to be upset. If the one who lost the case later found that he had indeed been wrong, then this would not fit him either. We must therefore conclude, the Torah is speaking to the one who lost the case and who truly believes the judge erred in ruling against him.” Now I ask you, you say you would give all you have in keeping the positive commandment from YHVH concerning the esrog. Yet, you did nothing to try and stop the tirade against me when Torah says not to curse a judge. Tell me, which commandment is of greater importance? He got the point, hopefully you will too.